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United States Patent |
5,025,582
|
Mote, Sr.
|
June 25, 1991
|
External safety for handgun
Abstract
An external safety for application to handguns which effectively blocks
rearward travel of the trigger to the point where the handgun is
discharged, the external safety consisting of a trigger block adapted to
be pivoted into the path of the trigger, and out of the path of the
trigger as desired, by attached levers accessible to the operator. The
trigger block and levers are secured upon the handle of the handgun by a
pair of brackets operably attached to the handgun handle proximate the
trigger and trigger guard. The brackets are situated on opposite sides of
the handgun to pivotally receive the trigger block and lever assembly
permitting it to be pivoted into the trigger blocking configuration or out
of the trigger blocking configuration.
Inventors:
|
Mote, Sr.; Charles R. (1751 N. Camino Altar, Tucson, AZ 85743)
|
Appl. No.:
|
569299 |
Filed:
|
August 20, 1990 |
Current U.S. Class: |
42/70.06; 42/70.07 |
Intern'l Class: |
F41A 017/54 |
Field of Search: |
42/70.06,70.07,70.11
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
D864940 | Sep., 1907 | Whittier | 42/70.
|
2635380 | Apr., 1953 | Baker et al. | 42/70.
|
2657490 | Nov., 1953 | Browning | 42/70.
|
2711043 | Jun., 1955 | Bent | 42/70.
|
3324587 | Jun., 1967 | Bryan | 42/70.
|
3711979 | Jan., 1973 | Small | 42/70.
|
3715826 | Feb., 1973 | Seifried | 42/70.
|
4539889 | Sep., 1985 | Glock | 89/147.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
2744 | Sep., 1868 | GB | 42/70.
|
Other References
Guns Magazine -- Front Cover & Unnumbered Page Showing the Handgun, Also,
Articles Starting on p. 24, and 32, Sep. 1990.
|
Primary Examiner: Carone; Michael J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McClanahan; J. Michael
Claims
I claim:
1. On a handgun having a frame, the frame consisting of a handle and
trigger guard, the trigger guard attached at one point to the handle, the
trigger guard defining in part a trigger opening, a trigger situated
interiorly to the trigger opening, the trigger adapted to be moved
rearward towards the rear portion of the trigger opening to fire the
handgun, an external safety for the handgun comprising:
a trigger block operably situated behind the trigger of the handgun:
a pair of levers operably attached to said trigger block; and
a pair of brackets operably attached to said pair of levers and to the
handgun frame whereby either one of said pair of levers may be operated
for operation of the external safety.
2. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 1 wherein each
one of said pair of levers has two ends, one end of which defines a
flange, said flange of one of each of said levers operably attached to one
each of said pair of brackets.
3. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 2 wherein said
flange of each one of said levers is pivotally attached to one each of
said brackets whereby said pair of levers may be pivotally rotated to
positions.
4. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 3 wherein said
trigger block defines an elongated structure having two ends with a
modified "C" shaped cross-section centrally located in said elongated
structure.
5. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 4 wherein one
each of said trigger block elongated structure two ends is attached to one
each of said pair of levers.
6. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 5 wherein said
trigger block situated behind the trigger of the handgun is situated
between the trigger of the handgun and the rear portion of the trigger
opening.
7. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 6 wherien said
pair of brackets operably attached to the handgun is attached to the
handgun trigger guard.
8. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 7 wherein said
pair of brackets is spaced apart and encompasses the handgun trigger guard
therebetween.
9. The external safety for the handgund as defined in claim 8 wherein each
of said pair of brackets includes an opening and each said flange includes
an opening, each said brackets opening and each said flange opening being
the pivotal point of each of said pair of levers, said flange opening
proximate one of each said ends of said levers attached to said trigger
block whereby either one of said pair of levers may be operated to
pivotally move said trigger block operably situated behind the trigger of
the handgun.
10. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 9 further
including a pair of detent springs, one each of said detent springs
operably attached to one each of said pair of brackets.
11. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 10 wherein each
said flange includes a pair of detents, one of said detents defining a
fire detent and the other said detents defining a safe detent, each of
said detents of each said flange adapted to be engaged by one each of said
detent springs whereby said safe detent is engaged by said detent springs
when said pair of levers is rotated to a safe position and said fire
detent is engaged by said detent springs when said pair of levers is
rotated to a fire position.
12. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 11 wherein said
modified "C" shaped cross-section of said trigger block includes and upper
curved surface, a lower curved surface, and a central flat surface, said
lower curved surface engaged by the handgun trigger and said upper curved
surface engaging the back portion of the trigger portion when said pair of
levers have been rotated to the safe position whereby the handgun trigger
is blocked by said trigger block and may be be moved sufficiently rearward
to fire the handgun.
13. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 12 wherein said
trigger block modified "C" shaped cross-section central flat surface is
non-touchably situated behind the handgun trigger when said pair of levers
is rotated to the fire position whereby the handgun trigger is not blocked
by said trigger and the trigger may be pulled rearwardly sufficient to
fire the handgun.
14. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 8 further
including a rievet, said rivet attaching said pair of brackets to the
handgun trigger guard.
15. The external safety for the handgun as defined in claim 9 further
including a pair of rivets, one each of said pair of rivets passing
through said opening of each said brackets and said flange whereby said
pair of levers may pivot about said pair of rivets.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is safeties for handguns, both automatic and
revolver, installed externally upon the handgun frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is very important that there be safety devices on guns, both handguns
and rifles, to prevent their accidental firing. However, of the two, it is
perhaps the handgun where safeties are most important because practically
the only method of carrying a handgun is in one's hand, and certainly the
only comfortable method is to grasp the handgun as one would use it to
shoot, i.e., with a finger within the trigger guard. A riffle may be
grasped and carried by merely holding the stock of the rifle without
having one's finger on the trigger or within the encircling trigger guard
found both on rifles and handguns.
There are various type of safeties on handguns. On automatics, i.e., a
handgun employing a slide mounted upon a frame, the slide travels to the
rear (relative to the frame) to eject a spent cartridge and then returns
to load a fresh bullet into the firing chamber, internal and external
safeties has been manufactured into the handgun. Most of these safeties
have been internal type safeties wherein the hammer (concealed within the
handgun frame and slide) is physically interrupted by a mechanical device
to inhibit travel of that hammer. This mechanical device may be actuated
by a push button protruding through the outside surface of the frame or,
perhaps, by a suitable boss protruding outwardly from the surface of the
handle which may be slide operated by a finger.
Other methods have been utilized such as that employed in the Glock brand
handguns wherein the trigger itself has a safety trigger riding within a
longitudinal slot formed in the main trigger. Here, the operator's finger
must be securely upon the primary or main trigger as well as upon the
safety trigger in order to release a catch mechanism operably attached to
the safety trigger. In addition, as is common in many automatic handguns,
a safety working with the slide of the handgun may be present. In these
cases, the slide may be placed into a locked position such that in order
to make the handgun fireable, the trigger must be pulled, the slide fully
retracted and then permitted to go forward. The trigger must then be
released and then pulled again before the handgun will fire.
In revolver type handguns, where the hammer is readily visible on the
frame, a safely is employed whereby the hammer may be retracted a small
portion of its full movement to the rear where it latches with the safety
mechanism. At that point, the trigger itself may not be pulled rearward to
fire at all. To fire the revolver, a hand movement of the hammer must be
made to retract the hammer to its farthest rotated position where it is
held. Then when the trigger is pulled, the hammer will proceed to pivot
forward to discharge the cartridge held in the chamber.
Since the Glock automatic handgun has been on the market for the last few
years or so, there has been extremely high interest in this pistol,
especially in the 9 mm version. It has been adopted by many police forces,
and to some extent by the military. However, the handgun is alleged by
many to suffer from deficiencies in that the safety mechanisms upon the
gun to prevent accidental discharge are inadequate. There is much
controversy over this issue. In support of the handgun, the Glock does
have the safety trigger mentioned above functioning with its main trigger
as one safety mechanism, and it does employ an internal safety mechanism
as well.
Nevertheless, there have been accidental discharges of the Glock handgun
which have resulted in numerous articles questioning whether the safeties
provided on the handgun are sufficient. For example, the September 1990
issue of GUNS Magazine had a special report upon the Glock handgun and in
that report had an article in which it was stated that since there is no
safety latch to keep the trigger from being pressed back, it is imperative
that the Glock be carried in a holster that covers the trigger and trigger
guard.
The need for an external safety upon the Glock handgun, as well as other
automatic and revolver type handguns, to prevent accidental firing is
obvious. An external safety which physically interrupts the backward
movement of the trigger will prevent accidental firing and it is to this
need this invention is directed.
Accordingly, it is readily apparent that the safe handling of handguns is
enhanced if handguns, both automatics and revolvers, have an external
safely which physically impedes the pulling of the trigger.
It is also obvious that in some handguns there is need for apparatus which
physically impedes the movement of the trigger to prevent an accidental
discharge of the gun or to prevent any suggestion of accidental discharge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The embodiment of the invention described consists of a mechanism
externally applied to a handgun adapted to selectively inhibit the travel
of the trigger in the handgun to prevent accidental discharge. The
apparatus which when placed in a lock or safe position, pivots a trigger
block into position behind the trigger such that the trigger movement does
not progress rearward to the point where the handgun is discharged. The
trigger block may then be rotated out of position and when accomplished,
the trigger is free to travel its full range or sufficient range to
discharge the cartridge held in the chamber.
In construction, the invention consists of a pair of bracket assemblies
adapted to be secured to the handgun frame, and in particular to the frame
in and about the area where the lower part of the trigger guard (which
surrounds the trigger) joins to the handle of the frame. Two brackets are
employed, one on either side of the frame, which are secured to the frame
by a rivet passing through the handgun frame at a non-strategic position.
Each bracket extends upward from its point of attachment along the side of
the handgun frame to provide a pivotal opening about which a trigger block
and lever assembly may rotate. The trigger block and lever assembly
consists of a mechanical "U" shaped structure having the parallel legs of
the "U" which comprise the levers and having in the center portion the
trigger block. The angle of the legs to the center portion is 90 degrees.
On opposite ends of the legs joining the center portion are circular
flanges having a centrally located opening adapted to mate when assembled
with the openings in the bracket assembly. Into each of the mated openings
on opposite sides of the frame, pivot pins are placed, these pins
comprising rivets. The fabrication and construction of the trigger block
and lever assembly, as well as the bracket assembly, is carefully
accomplished to insure dimensional accuracy in order that the purposes of
the invention be accomplished, i.e., the trigger movement to the rear be
terminated before the trigger reaches the point that the handgun
discharges.
To properly position the trigger block behind the trigger, either in the
lock (safe) position, or in the fire position and to hold it there, a pair
of detents, nominally 60 degrees of arc apart, are formed in the circular
flange portion of each leg of the trigger block and lever assembly.
Forcibly riding upon the circular flanges adapted to engage these detents
is a detent spring which is securely held by each of the brackets against
the handle of the frame of the handgun. A downward curved portion of the
detent spring forcibly engages the grooves defining the lock and fire
detents.
In use, the levers of the trigger block and lever assembly are rotated to a
point to where the detent spring engages one or the other of the two
detents at which time the trigger block and lever assembly effectively
stops rotating. If the lever is rotated to the lock (safe) position, the
trigger block is immediately behind the trigger of the handgun and
prohibits the trigger from moving backwards sufficiently to discharge the
handgun. The downwardly curved portion of the detent spring is then
residing in the lock detent. If the lever of the trigger block and lever
assembly is rotated to the fire position, the leg rotates around the pivot
point (opening in the annular flange) to the position where the detent
spring engages the fire detent and at that point, the trigger block has
rotated out of position blocking the backward movement of the trigger such
that the trigger may now be pulled sufficiently rearwardly to discharge
the firearm. The trigger block is still behind the trigger of the handgun
and within the trigger guard, however, it is not blocking the trigger's
travel early enough to prevent discharge of the handgun.
If desired, the two positions which the lever takes when its detents are
engaged by the detent springs may be alternately marked "LOCK" and "FIRE"
or, a dot of bright paint may be placed upon the handgun frame in such a
strategic position that the dot is covered by the lever when the lever is
in the LOCK position. Moving the lever to the FIRE position will uncover
that dot of bright paint and thus inform the operator the safety is no
longer engaged.
Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an
external safety for handguns which impedes the backward movement of the
handgun trigger sufficient to prevent discharge the handgun.
It is another object of the subject invention to provide an external safety
for handguns having a trigger block to block backward movement of the
trigger, which trigger block may also be rotated out of place for
discharge of the handgun.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part
appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus
possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of
parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the
scope of the application which will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For further understanding of the features and objects of the subject
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1. is a side view of a handgun to which the inventive external safety
is to be added;
FIG. 2. is a side view of the handgun shown in FIG. 1 with the external
safely mounted upon the handgun and in a lock position;
FIG. 3. is a side view of the handgun shown in FIG. 1 with the subject
inventive external safety mounted upon the handgun and in a fire position;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial side view of the handgun with the inventive
external safety installed and in a lock position;
FIG. 5. is an enlarged partial side view of the handgun with the inventive
external safety installed and in a fire position;
FIG. 6. is an exploded perspective view of the left and right brackets of
the bracket assembly of the invention which are to be installed on the
frame of the handgun; FIG. 7. is a perspective view of the detent spring
utilized in the invention;
FIG. 8. is a perspective view of the trigger block and lever assembly
utilized in the invention;
FIG. 9. is a top view of the trigger block and lever assembly after
fabrication but before being formed to the configuration shown in FIG. 8;
and
FIG. 10. is a cross sectional view taken in the center of the trigger block
of the trigger block and lever assembly which intersects the trigger of
the handgun;
In various views, like index numbers refer to like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a side view of an automatic pistol or
handgun 10 upon which the inventive external safety is to be installed.
More particularly, here shown is the Glock Model 19. Various parts of
automatic handgun 10 are identified as follows. Frame 12 is that part of
the handgun which a person holds in the palm of their hand which includes
the handle. It receives magazine 16 internally to the handle which
magazine holds bullets to be shot. A small portion of the magazine is seen
in FIG. 1. Trigger guard 18 attaches at its lower part to the handle of
frame 12 and attaches at its upper part to the upper portion of frame 12.
It surrounds and encompasses main trigger 20. In the handgun shown in FIG.
1, a second trigger, namely safety trigger 22, requires that to fire the
handgun, it be pulled simultaneously with main trigger 20. Safety trigger
22 pivotally resides within a longitudinal slot formed in main trigger 20.
Safety trigger 22 shown in the diagram rotates about pivot 26. Immediately
behind and attached to the back part of main trigger 20 is dimple 24. This
is a half moon shaped protrusion attached to the back side of the main
trigger which is the part of the main trigger which will be engaged by the
invention to prevent firing. It is realized of course that the invention
could easily be fashioned to engaged other points on the rear side of the
trigger.
Immediately above frame 12 and supported by frame 12 is slide 14, that
portion of the handgun which encloses and secures the barrel (seen
emerging from the front end of the handgun), as well as its attached
chamber (not shown) holding the bullet during firing. After firing, slide
14 moves to the rear under the effect of the rapidly expanding gases
generated by detonating the gun power held in the bullet cartridge. At or
near the time the slide reaches its maximum rearward movement position,
the spent cartridge is ejected (from the portion of the slide opposite
that shown in FIG. 1). Upon the slide's return, a new bullet is taken from
the magazine and loaded into the chamber. Additionally shown in FIG. 1 is
slide lock 28 and its guard 30. The release for disassembly (of the slide
from the frame) is shown as numeral 32. Lastly, magazine release 34 is
shown immediately behind trigger guard 18.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the subject inventive external safety mounted
to the handle of frame 12 of handgun 10, and, as shown by the nomenclature
printed upon the handgun, is in the LOCK or safe position. It is noted
firstly, in comparing the relative position of the trigger in FIG. 2 with
the position of the trigger in FIG. 1, trigger 20 has been pulled to the
rear to the point where its travel is blocked by external safety 40 such
that the handgun will not fire. Thus, the action of external safety 40 is
to inhibit the full travel of the main trigger necessary to fire the
handgun. It is noted that safety trigger 22 spoken of in connection with
FIG. 1 has pivoted around pivot pin 26 so that it is completely enclosed
within the longitudinal slot formed in the main trigger and is not visible
in FIG. 2.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of the same automatic handgun 10 is
shown with external safely 40 now in the FIRE position whereupon, in
comparing the trigger positions of FIGS. 2 and 3, main trigger 20 has now
traveled and additional distance and is sufficiently back to allow the
handgun to fire. Thus, by rotation of the shown lever of external safety
40 from the LOCK position to the FIRE position, that portion of the
external trigger 40 which inhibited further travel of main trigger 20 has
been rotated out of the way so that main trigger 20 may go fully to the
rear as required for firing the handgun.
More detailed drawings of the external safety 40 is shown in following
FIGS. 4-10.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a portion of frame 12 showing external
safety 40 mounted upon the handle proximate the rear of main trigger 20.
More particularly, lever 44 of external safety 40 is shown in the LOCK or
safe position (handgun not able to fire) whereupon trigger block 42
attached to lever 44 is engaging dimple 24 of main trigger 20 to prevent
movement of main trigger 20 further to the rear to fire the handgun. It is
noted that trigger block 42 is also engaging the rear portion of the
trigger opening of the handle. By this manner, additional resistance to
further trigger movement is provided. Lever 44 and connected trigger block
42 rotate around pivot pin 46. Pin 46 is held by bracket 48, bracket 48
comprising one of two mirror image brackets comprising the bracket
assembly which is fixedly attached to the handle of frame 12 by rivet 50
at or near its junction with the lower part of trigger guard 18. In order
to retain lever 44 in either the LOCK or FIRE position, two detents (not
shown) are formed in an annular flange to which lever 44 is connected
wherein a central opening (not shown) in the annular flange allows passage
of pivot pin 46. These detents, which are separated by an arc 60 degrees
apart, are alternately engaged by detent spring 52 shown residing in a
slot formed in bracket 48. Each of the elements which make up external
safety 40 are shown separately and in a much expanded view in FIGS. 6-10.
Shown on lever 44 of external safety 40 are the turned up sides 45 to
facilitate the person's grip upon the lever when it is desired to be
moved, as well as opening 43 which permits the removal of dirt or other
particles which may come between the bottom surface of lever 44 and the
external surface of the handgun 10.
Referring now to FIG. 5, external safety 40 has now been rotated by 60
degrees to the FIRE position. It is noted that trigger block 42 has now
moved out of position directly behind main trigger 20 where it engaged
dimple 24 (FIG. 4) and main trigger 20 has now moved sufficiently far to
the rear that the handgun fires. In this position, lock detent 54 formed
on the annular flange connected to lever 44 is just beginning to show
underneath bracket 48. At this position, the fire detent (not shown) is
now under and is engaged by detent spring 52. By the engaging of the
detent spring 52 in the respective lock and fire detents, the position of
lever 44 in either the lock or fire configuration is maintained against
accidental movement.
It has been noted by the inventor that for the particular handgun, i.e.,
Glock model 19, external safety 40 interrupts the main trigger 20 at a
position where the top most part of dimple 24 is approximately 0.230
inches from the closest point of the rear portion of the trigger opening
(of which trigger guard 18 forms a part). The handgun fires when this
distance has been reduced to approximately 0.144 inches. Accordingly, the
inventive external safety allows a safety gap distance of approximately
0.086 inches, which is well in front of the firing point at 0.144 inches.
Thus, adequate allowances are made for any variations that might appear
from handgun to handgun.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a view of the brackets of the bracket assembly 48
portion of external safety 40 is shown in a exploded perspective view
wherein the two brackets have been aligned as if they were mounted on the
handle and trigger guard portions of the handgun frame. Also shown in FIG.
6 are the two detent springs 52 mounted within the two openings 56 and 68
of the two brackets 62 and 60 respectively. More specifically, bracket
assembly 48 comprise left bracket 60 and right bracket 62. At the top end
of each of the brackets is lever pivot openings 64 and 66 through which
pivot pins 46 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 pass and are held. Obviously, two
pivot pins 46 will be utilized, one on each side. Pivot pins 46 does not
pass through the handgun. Immediately below pivot opening 66 in right
bracket 62 is detent spring openings 56 and 58 which secure detent spring
52 which engages the detents in lever 44. By use of the two openings 56
and 58, and a pocket formed in the lower part of opening 58, detent spring
52 is held against the annular flange without touching the handgun handle
and without the need of other external fasteners. It is noted that a
portion of the bracket passes over detent spring 52, i.e., that portion
situated between openings 56 and 58. Detent spring 52 is so formed that it
rises up partially out of opening 56 as shown and then detent spring 52
curves downward near the top end of opening 56 to form the downwardly
curved portion that actually engages the detent formed in the annular
flange connected to lever 44.
Referring now to left bracket 60, immediately below level pivot opening 64
which will receive the second pivot pin 46 is seen detent spring 52
partially in opening 68 with a portion of detent spring 52 protruding
outward from bracket 60. Numeral 70 designates the actual portion
(downwardly curved portion) of the detent spring which engages the detents
of the annular flange attached to lever 44.
It is noted that both brackets 60 and 62 generally conforms to the shape of
the handgun in the area in which the bracket is adapted to cover. On
bracket 60, lower portion 72 is stepped inwardly from the upper portion of
bracket 60 as lower portion 72 partially encircles the beginning of
trigger guard 18. Centrally located in the bracket lower portion is
opening 74 to receive rivet 50 (FIGS. 4 and 5) which holds the two
brackets to the handgun. it is noted at this point that it will be
necessary to drill a hole through the trigger guard portion of the handle
of the Glock type handgun to allow passage of rivet 50.
With respect to right bracket 62, seen is the mirror image of left bracket
60 with the bracket lower portion 76 stepped inwardly from the upper
portion, also to partially enclose a portion of trigger guard 18.
Centrally located in the bracket lower portion is opening 78 adapted to
receive rivet 50 to secure both left and right brackets in place on the
handle of frame 12.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of detent spring 52 showing, at the top end,
the curve or turned down portion 70 which actually engages the detents
formed in the flange of the trigger block and lever assembly as well as
the central protruding portion 80 which rises up above the opening formed
in each of the brackets to help secure detent spring 52 in place. The
lower portion of detent spring 52 shown in FIG. 7 dives under the bridge
formed between the two openings in the bracket to emerge into the lower
opening of the bracket. A separate detent spring 52 is utilized in each of
the brackets.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the formed trigger block and lever assembly
showing the pair of spaced apart levers, the flanges attached to one end
of each of the levers, and the elongated trigger block attached to the
flanges at the ends of the levers. Trigger block and lever assembly 82
resides on opposite sides of the handle of the handgun and is secured in
place by pivot pins 46 attached to the brackets. It is noted that although
the two pivotal openings in the trigger block and lever assembly are
aligned, two pivot pins 46 are utilized. In the preferred embodiment,
rivets which allowed rotation of the trigger block and lever assembly were
actually used.
More particularly, trigger block and lever assembly 82 shown in FIG. 8
comprises firstly lever 44 attached to annular flange 84, which flange was
centrally located opening 86 to receive pivot pin 46 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In a
lower portion of annular flange 84 is the two detents formed into the
flange, namely lock detent 54 previously discussed and fire detent 88. In
the preferred embodiment, lock detent 54 is slightly deeper than fire
detent 88 so that it requires more force by the operator to rotate lever
44 from the lock position to the fire position than it requires to rotate
from the fire position to the lock position. Both detents are formed by
coining in the single stamping from which the trigger block and lever
assembly 82 is made. At the end of lever 44 are upturned sides 45 and
opening 43 previously discussed.
Attached to annular flange 84 is bridge 90 which connects it with annular
flange 92 of the left lever 94. In bridge 90 is formed trigger block 42
which takes the cross sectional shape as is illustrated in FIG. 9. The
length of trigger block 42 is sufficient to cross entirely the width of
the main trigger 20. Webs on either side span the distance between trigger
block 42 and both the annular flanges. Thus, bridge 90 spans the distance
between the left and right levers and their associated annular flanges
with centrally situated trigger block 42 and on both sides of trigger
block 42 a web connecting to the annular flanges. This is all shown in
FIG. 9. Continuing, on the left hand portion of FIG. 8 is annular flange
92 with its centrally located opening 96 which is in alignment with the
corresponding opening 86 in flange 84. Lastly, connected to annular flange
92 is left lever 94 which is a mirror image of right lever 44. Formed in
the outside edge of left lever 94 are the upturned sides corresponding
with upturned sides 45 of right lever 44. Also seen is opening 98 which
allows for the cleaning of the frame below lever 94.
As shown in FIG. 8, both left and right levers 94 and 44 respectively are
bent or stepped near the junction of the levers with their connected
annular flanges to conform to the sides of the handgun.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the trigger block and lever assembly 82 laid out in
a flat plane after stamping (or cutting) and prior to forming. As is
readily seen, bridge 90 which connects annular flange 84 with annular
flange 92 includes central trigger block 42 together with webs 98 and 99
between trigger block 42 and the annular flanges. All the elements of the
trigger block and lever assembly 82 are shown in FIG. 9, and in addition,
the detents formed on annular flange 92 not seen in FIG. 8 are shown as
lock detent 100 and fire detent 102. As was the case in the lock and fire
detents situated in annular flange 84, in the preferred embodiment, lock
detent 100 is coined to slightly more depth than fire detent 102. The
trigger block and lever assembly 82 shown in FIG. 9 is fabricated in a
progressive stamping die to result with the formed shape shown in FIG. 8
to the point where the levers and annular flanges are parallel and
openings 86 and 96 in alignment. Further, trigger block 42 is at right
angles to the longitudinal direction of levers 44 and 94.
The central part of bridge 90, namely trigger block 42, has a modified "C"
shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 10. Trigger block 42 shown in FIG.
10 is comprised of a series of various curved and slightly curved
surfaces. The surface at the lower part of trigger block 42, namely lower
curved surface 106, engages dimple 24 on the back side of the main trigger
20 as shown in FIG. 4 when the external safety is in the lock position and
upper curved surface 108 is just touching the back position of the trigger
opening of the handgun handle. As trigger block and lever assembly 42 is
rotated to where the lever 44 is at the safe position, trigger block 42 is
similarly rotated out of the way of main trigger 20 and its dimple 24 as
shown in FIG. 5. When in the safe position, trigger block 42 has been
rotated to the point where the central flat or slightly curved surface 104
is now proximate the back side of main trigger 20 and dimple 24 attached
to main trigger 20 is slightly above end curved surface 108.
It is realized of course that the exact curved surface of the trigger block
42 shown in FIG. 10 may be varied. The whole intent is that trigger block
42 in the lock position does place a stop to backward travel of the
handgun trigger and when the trigger block and lever assembly is rotated
to fire position, it rotates the trigger block out of the way behind the
trigger so that the trigger may complete its travel to fire the handgun.
In the drawings which have been shown in connection with the external
safely, positions of LOCK and FIRE have been shown by lettering upon the
handgun and a line to which the lever is aligned. In the preferred
embodiment, a bright spot, perhaps of color red or yellow, will be painted
upon the handle such that when the lever is in the lock position, the dot
of color will be covered. Conversely, when the lever is in the fire
position, the dot will be uncovered so that it may be seen very easily.
In the preferred embodiment, the trigger block and lever assembly, as well
as each of the brackets, were formed from flat pieces of metal, preferably
either stainless steel or titanium. The parts were produced with
progressive dies. The detent spring was formed from 0.035 inch diameter,
heat treated music wire, or stamped from beryllium copper.
While it is realized that the bracket assembly shown in the invention was
attached to the handguns by means of a rivet passing through the body of
the frame of the handgun, it is apparent that it is well within the
engineering art to use other methods to secure the bracket assembly to the
handgun frame. Not the least of these methods would include utilizing an
adhesive, or modifying the brackets to include a clamp which will wrap
around the trigger guard to be secured there. The method chosed in the
preferred embodiment, that of placing a rivet through the handgun, was
deemed the simplest method for the particular handgun the element of the
invention were designed to fit. Other shaped handguns will of course
require modifications to the brackets, and to the trigger block and lever
assembly in terms of their ultimate shape, but not function.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described,
it will be appreciated that there is no intent to limit the invention by
such disclosure. Rather, the disclosure is intended to cover all
modifications and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit and the
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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